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Locker Group rural flooring is perfect for your farming needs.

May 2, 2017 by Cassandra

Why is Locker Group metal flooring best for your livestock?

If you're a farmer, your livestock's health and comfort is probably one of your principal concerns. The flooring that your animals spend their time on, therefore, is of great importance. Did you know that Locker Group don't just do metal floors for industrial sites, but is committed to providing the best rural flooring for your farming needs too? Here's why we're a great option for you and your animals.

1) Superior strength

We use heavy duty woven wire for our rural flooring, which is far stronger than a lot of the other materials often used for livestock. This means it's highly durable and will last a long time. Your installation costs will also be reduced if you go with Locker Group, as we design and make our floors to order, so there's less messing around when it comes to construction.

Locker Group are here to help with your farming needs.

2) Self-cleaning

Our floors are self-cleaning, which means not only do you have to spend less time washing our products, you'll also massively reduce the chance of your animals picking up disease. As our floors are made of woven wire, there are holes for pig waste to fall through, meaning you'll no longer have a problem with dirty and slippery floors.

3) Eliminates slips

It's very hard to handle animals when they're panicking, and one of the main things that causes them distress is if they start slipping over. Fortunately, Locker Group has anti-slip mechanisms in place for all of our rural flooring. For sheep, this involves a four direction wave to increase resistance. When it comes to pigs, the crimping of the wire gives them a secure foot hold, while the smoothness and roundness of the wire makes it comfortable for them to lie on.

Lambs in particular are prone to slipping, which is why we've taken anti-slip measures with our rural flooring.

4) Better ventilation

As our floors are made of wire, there is increased ventilation for your livestock, meaning reduced risk of overheating.

5) Versatile

Our metal flooring can be used for a range of rural purposes, including in abattoirs, stock transport, farrowing pens, weaner crates, bacon/grower pens, feed lots, and shearing sheds. On top of this, it's light weight and easy to transport.

We also provide agricultural mesh for fencing and screening. If you're interested in obtaining Locker Group woven wire flooring for your agricultural needs, or would like more information, please don't hesitate to contact us.

in General Industrial 0 comments

A very rare dinosaur fossil has been found in an outback quarry.

May 2, 2017 by Cassandra

Rare dinosaur bones found in an outback quarry

A 100-million-year-old fossil of a rare dinosaur-bird has been discovered in a dry quarry in Richmond, Queensland. Here at Locker Group, we ensure we keep on top of all the latest quarrying news, so that we know we're providing you with the necessary materials to operate your business effectively. This new discovery just goes to show that at your quarry you might be unearthing more than just everyday rock and stone.

So what is the Richmond Raptor?

Quarries in the area turn up dinosaur bones relatively frequently, but the "Richmond Raptor", as it's now being named, is the first discovery of a dinosaur-bird in the area. Around 500 kilometres from the east coast, Richmond is the capital of Australia's Inland Sea, and therefore the discovery of the bird came as something of a surprise.

The prehistoric dinosaur-bird was found in a quarry miles from the coast.

Dr. Patrick Smith, curator of Richmond's prehistoric experience museum Kronosaurus Korner, spoke to ABC about the discovery.

"This is the first indication that they're actually here — previous to this we didn't know they were in Richmond," he said.

"Because Richmond was at the centre of the inland sea during the cretaceous period, it's really strange to find these bird-like fossils in the middle of a seaway."

It's thought that the bones are from the Nanantius eos species, a creature Dr. Smith said was not dissimilar to a seagull. "They would've been like a modern seagull, living on the coastline, feeding on fish that have washed up and occasionally going out to sea," he explained.

Volunteer victory

The discovery came about from the work of a local volunteer, Mike D'Arcy. He started the project over five years ago, after he'd found some fragmented bones that looked as if they were from a bird. It was only until he found the humerus that they were able to positively identify it. The species was then confirmed by Dr. Smith as the nanantius eos.

Speaking to ABC, Mr D'Arcy said he was thrilled to have discovered the dinosaur.

"For me it's the fun of the hunt — and it's always good to find something new and something different and share it with others," he said.

Dr Smith is now recruiting a number of local volunteers to help find any other dinosaur bones in the old quarry.

How can Locker Group help your quarry?

At Locker Group, we provide all sorts of tools and materials to help your quarry be as productive as it possibly can. We recognise that quarries extract a variety of materials, and that's why we offer different screening media depending on your needs. You never know, you might just discover a dinosaur along the way.

in Quarrying 0 comments

Perforated metal is used in a wide range of acoustical solutions.

May 1, 2017 by Cassandra

How is perforated metal used in acoustics?

People value peace and quiet. This is why it's so important to consider acoustics when undertaking an architectural project. Here at Locker Group, we know how diverse perforated metal is, which is why we provide custom shapes and sizes to meet any requirements. Did you know that perforated metal is a key application in acoustics, however?

There are two main ways perforated metal can be used in acoustics. The first is as a facing for something else, and the second is as a tuned resonant absorber.

Perforated metal is a great way to shut out unwanted sounds.

As a facing for acoustical material

Different acoustical materials will be used with the goal of either absorbing, reflecting or scattering sound, depending on what you are using your acoustic application for. This material, frequently foam, normally needs to be encased in something that will protect it. This is where perforated metal comes in. You will need something that will let the sound waves pass through, while still providing enough protection for your acoustic material. Perforated metal, which is strong but has lots of holes in, is perfect for this.

Tuned resonant absorbers

The second way perforated metal is used in acoustics is with a tuned resonant absorber. Often, you will only want to reduce sound that's at a particular frequency. Tuned resonant absorbers are excellent for absorbing sound at a low frequency (100 Hz or under).

Perforated metal supplies an easy solution for sound absorption and other acoustical issues.

With these, the perforated metal takes an active part in determining which frequencies need cutting out. It is used in conjunction with a trapped layer of air to concentrate the sound absorption of the acoustical material onto whichever frequency range the sound that needs cutting out falls in.

The air particles will begin moving in and out of the perforated metal's holes violently at whatever frequency the tuned resonant absorber is set at. These air particles are then pumped back and forth with the adjacent acoustical layer. At this point, the acoustic energy will transfer into heat due to the friction created, and so will no longer be heard as sound.

As you can see, perforated metal supplies an easy solution for sound absorption and other acoustical solutions. Our products come in a range of materials, including stainless steel, aluminium, mild steel, corten,titanium, copper, brass, alloys and polypropylene. For more information, please contact us.

in Architecture 0 comments

Think about how windows affect the look and feel of your home.

April 21, 2017 by Cassandra

How can you make smart architectural choices when adding windows to a house?

One of the most critical choices you make when planning the architecture of a new house is how to configure windows. This decision will have a great deal of influence over many aspects of the home – how difficult (and expensive) it is to build, how elegant it will look when completed and to what degree it will let in heat and light. There's a lot to consider.

Think about how architectural products will have an impact on the windows of your house.

It's also important to think about how the architectural products you choose will have an impact on the windows of the house you're building. For example, if you use stainless steel rather than aluminum to build the windows' framework, what effect will that have? These small design choices can make a bigger difference than you think.

Reconsidering your windows' architecture

Windows can have a surprising amount of impact on how livable a home or office building becomes, especially when you consider the sort of architectural products you use to build them. For instance, according to Architecture AU, there's been a recent trend of builders using more stainless steel for finishing windows.

This has had a noticeable effect. The steel has given the windows a strong, bold profile that makes them appear more sleek and seamless. The effect isn't just aesthetic, either – windows adorned with sturdy material like steel make it easier for the building to be resistant to the elements and block out high-speed winds.

Optimising for heat and air flow

How much hot and cold air flows into a building is always important. This is a major factor determining the indoor temperature and air quality in the building, which in turn will dictate how much heating and/or air conditioning is needed. In effect, airflow is a major cost centre.

Windows can control the flow of light into a building.

Rappler noted that the structure of your windows will largely dictate airflow. If you have the right screening media to keep heat and wind under control, it will be easier to keep your costs to a minimum. There's a cost-benefit analysis to be performed during the building process. How much should you spend on superior building materials?

Considering Locker Group's line of products

If you decide to go all out and build good, sturdy windows that will keep your building fully protected, we have the right building materials at Locker Group to help make that happen. For example, our line of expanded metal products is great for protecting buildings from the harsh glare of the sun.

Whatever specific architectural challenges you're facing, we are confident that we have the right materials – as well as the expertise – to handle them. Contact us today, and we can discuss all your building needs.

in Architecture 0 comments